‘I don’t think I’ll ever have another horse like him’: Grey gelding ticks off the final championship on his rider’s bucket list
The intermediate working hunter pony of the year final kicked off day three in the TopSpec ring at the 2021 Horse of the Year Show (HOYS). The roof was well and truly raised when the winners, William Pittendrigh and his grey gelding Silver Lough (Scully), were called out as winners.
While William and his Clew Bay Bouncer nine-year-old have won a host of titles — including at the Royal Windsor and the Royal International — during their five career together, this is their first HOYS victory.
“I’m ecstatic,” William enthused. “I don’t quite know what to say as I’ve dreamt of this for so long. This was the one thing he’s never won so I feel like everything is now ticked off.”
William and Scully had already jumped around the horse working hunter of the year track on Wednesday, where they achieved a credible ninth place.
“He’s been here since Tuesday as he had the earlier class,” William added. “He had a day off yesterday so he could relax and unwind; he can get tired easily. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get away with leaving his plaits in as he rubs them out so I was up early this morning to redo them.”
The David Cole-designed track ensured competitors really used the space on offer. Tight turns were plentiful and a balanced, rhythmical pace was required.
“It was a lot tighter than the course in the International Arena so it requires slightly different riding,” said Northumberland-based William. “I had to sit him up a lot more, but it was a lovely, flowing track.
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“I don’t think I’ll ever get another horse like him. He’s the one and only. In the championship I’m going to really gallop; that’s his best bit.”
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Born and raised in the Lake District, Alex has grown up on the showing scene. She has qualified and competed ponies at the Royal International, Horse of the Year Show and Olympia and has first-hand knowledge of the current issues in the showing world as well as the horses, ponies and riders who compete in the sport. Alex joined H&H in January 2018 as showing editor, cementing its place as the leading equestrian publication for both showing reports and current showing news in the UK. She moved on in October 2024 to pursue other opportunities, but continues to write for us on a freelance basis.